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Lung Cancer Screening: Early Detection for Those with the Highest Risk

Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in both men and women, and is far and away the most lethal form of cancer. It accounts for about 14% of new cancer cases each year, and about a quarter of all cancer-related deaths. But despite these stark statistics, it is also the most preventable cancer. As with many other forms of cancer, prevention and early detection are key to reducing your risk.

In terms of prevention, the most effective lifestyle change you can make is to avoid using tobacco in any form. This is the single most powerful way to lower your risk of a lung cancer diagnosis, as well as emphysema and heart disease, and numerous other types of cancer. For help quitting, contact our Tobacco Treatment Program, where our specialists can help you find a path to a smoke-free future. In recent years early detection has become essential in prevailing over lung cancer, as new screening technologies have emerged. Lung cancer is commonly asymptomatic, meaning many patients do not experience any symptoms until the disease has grown and/or spread to a degree where it becomes much more difficult to treat successfully. Catching it early can make a world of difference.

What is lung cancer screening?

Hossein Borghaei, DO, director of lung cancer risk assessment and Rohit Kumar, MD, a pulmonologist and leader of the lung cancer screening service at Fox Chase.Lung cancer screening is done with a yearly low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest that helps find cancer. A CT scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of a cross-section of your lungs, and usually takes less than five minutes. The scan can be done while you wear your regular clothes, and there are no injections involved in this screening. If any abnormalities are found on the scan, your doctor may recommend additional scans, or follow-up screening such as a needle biopsy. Many of the spots that require follow-up turn out not to be cancer, but all must be examined.

Who should consider lung cancer screening?

It is critical to understand your own situation and then decide whether or not you are a candidate to get screened for lung cancer. While it is true that 10-15% of lung cancer is diagnosed in people with no history of smoking, longtime habitual smokers (even after quitting) are at far greater risk for developing lung cancer than non-smokers or light smokers. Since this screening involves exposure to X-rays, and can lead to the need for invasive procedures, the screening carries some risks, as well. For that reason, only people in a high risk category should be screened. You may be eligible for annual lung cancer screening if you meet ALL of these criteria:

You are between the ages of 55-77

You have 30 pack years of smoking or more. Pack years are calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years the person smoked. For example, someone who smoked two packs per day for ten years would have a smoking history of 20 pack years.

You are an active smoker or quit within the past 15 years

What happens during a screening visit?

A lung cancer screening specialist will prepare you for what to expect from the screening.

You will receive a low-dose CT scan.

Immediately following the scan, you will receive the results from your lung cancer screening specialist.

You will have the opportunity to discuss your results with a physician or qualified nurse practitioner.

Our team will let your doctor know your results, so he or she can recommend next steps if needed.

Interested in lung cancer screening for you or someone you know?

If you live in the Philadelphia area, please call to schedule an appointment at one of our two locations:

Temple University Hospital - 215-707-1616

Fox Chase Cancer Center - 888-369-2427

Medicare covers screening for enrolled patients who fit the above eligibility criteria. For those with private insurance, your insurer may pay for cancer screening, although the criteria may vary. A member of our staff will discuss your insurance coverage with you.

Temple Health refers to the health, education and research activities carried out by the affiliates of Temple University Health System (TUHS) and by the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. TUHS neither provides nor controls the provision of health care. All health care is provided by its member organizations or independent health care providers affiliated with TUHS member organizations. Each TUHS member organization is owned and operated pursuant to its governing documents.